Butter cutting machine



Nov. 24, 1931. w. H. RUSSELL 1,833,131

BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE l Filed Feb. 1, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l r-- 'Q I" l INVENTOR.

Nov. 24, 1931. w. H. RUSSELL --"1,s33,13n

BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I N VEN TOR.

1931- .w. H. RUSSELL BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 19 28. 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

Nov. 24, 1931. w. H. RUSSELL 1,333,1

BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. l, 1928 4 Sheets-Shea 4 nga 7v M INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 24, 1931 WILLIAM H. RUSSELL, F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND BUTTER CUTTING MACHINE Application filed. lebruary' l 1928. I Serial No. 251,125.

This invention relates to butter cutters, and particularly to that type of cutter in which the butter is expressed along a substantially horizontal plane, and is cut into individual portions by means of a transverse knife.

In large schools, hospitals, restaurants and the like, where it is necessary to serve a num ber of people at each meal, it is customary to purchase butter which is delivered in tubs.

It is the object of this invention to provide an improved device whereby such tub butter may be conveniently divided into small portions, although it is not intended, of course, that this device be considered applicable to tube butter alone. i

A feature of the invention is the provision of a novel butter chest having a cuttingedge, whereby it may be inserted into a mass of butter and withdrawn in a loaded condition,

ready for subsequent operative attachment to the butter cutting machine proper.

Another feature lies in the construction of an adjustable handle for said butter chest. by means of which said chest may be handled in either vertical or horizontal positions.

A further object is the provision of a butter cutting machine which may be conveniently and easily operated and motivated by a person seated therebefore, without the necessity of such personsmanually touching the butter at any time.

To this end the device is provided with a suitable actuating means, the nice adjustment of which is a further feature of the invention.

Yet another object is the provision of an improved automatic, adjustable, hinged receiving tray adapted to receive the butter after severance thereof into the aforesaid small portions.

Another feature lies in an arrangement of parts whereby the expresser becomes automatically disengaged from the actuating; mechanism upon reaching its prescribed limit of travel, thus preventing damage to the machine through carelessness @jthe part of the operator.

Still another feature lies in so mounting the expresser that it mav be readily adiusted to various angles with respect to a h0ri zontal plane, in order to facilitate the forward movement of the butter on the hinged tray of the device by means of gravity.

These, and such other objects as will be apparent upon perusal of the following detailed description, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, are contemplated in the present invention.

It is to be understood that the device as here- -Fig. 1, and showing the cross-cut knife. in

raised position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 2, with the cross-v cut knife in lowered position, and with the butter chest removed; 7

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of'Fig. 3;

' Fig. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view of the cutting plate and receiving trav;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 3, showing means for adjusting the receiving tray and cutting plate in parallel relation;

F ig. 7 is a fraginentarv front elevation of the device as shown in Fig. 3, with the crosscut knife in lowered position, and with the receiving tray in erect position;

8 is a fragmentary isometric view of 50 the adjustable handle on the butter chest;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the chest as shown 'in Fig. 8. showing the manner of inserting the same in a tub of butter: and

F1' 10 is a top view of the chest as shown in Fig. 8. y

The device is mounted on a suitable frame, which may consist of anumber of legs 1, connected near the lower ends thereof by bracing members 2 and 3, and at their upper ends provided by two longitudinally extending beams 4. A plank 5 is extended transversely across said beams at one end thereof, forming a table, said table being bounded on two sides by the upstanding guards 6 and 7.

The brace 3 does not extend entirely lengthwise of the frame, but is discontinued between two adjacent legs whereby access may be had to the foot treadle 8.

Said treadle is pivotally mounted on the rear brace member 2, and is adapted to be oscillated in a vertical plane, between the parallel guide columns 9 and 10. The degree of oscillation of treadle S is limited by the stop members 11 and 12, one of said members being vertically adjustable. The adjustable stop member may consistof a pin adapted to be inserted through any two of the several registering openings 18, said pin being preferably surrounded with a rubber washer, as

shown.

Pivotally attached to treadle 8 is the link 14, said link being rendered somewhat flexible by means of metrics 15. The upper end otlink 14 is pivotally and adiustablyconnected to lever 16. by means of. a pin inserted thronrrh one of a series of openine's as at 17. The lever 16 is keyed to a shaft 18 at the forward end thereof. and is a-da te- 'l to rot to said shaft. At the far end of shaft 18 is keyed the ever 19. to the lower end of which is nivotallv and adiustablv connected the link 20, said link 20 being pivotally and adjustab v connecte to a crank 21. A counti-ir-weight 22 is adjustahly posit oned on link 20. adjacent lever 19. Th s c unter weight causes treadle 8 to automatically assume its uppermost position after ea h depres ion thereof. and at the same time brin crank 21 back to its initial starting pos tion.

The various adjustments. as at 13 and 17, determ ne the degree of oscillation oi. crank 21. and hence determine the amount of forward displacement of the butter in the expresser, corres onding; to each thrust on treadle 8. as will be hereinafter described.

A greater dearee and nicetv of adjustment has been found to be possible b means of the entra adius inof means rovided. in levers 1.6. 19 and 21. than wou d be practically exped ent if the aforesaid degree of forward d splacement of the butter were left to be determined by adjustment of the stop member 12 alone.

Crank 21 is rigidly connected between a pair of pawl-bearing disks :22 and 23,. (Fists. '2 and 3) disks being loosely rotatably mounted on shaft 2i, and carrying on the outer faces thereof a pair of horizontall extending straps Q5. Pivot-ally mounted be tween the forward extremities of straps 9.5 is an elongated pawl said pawl being at the upper end thereof with combined counter-weight and release-en ing member 27. The pawl 26 adapted to engage a ratchet 28, said ratchet being fixed-- 1y keyed to shaft 24.

Shaft 2% is journaled in bearings 30,- said bearings being mounted tically movable expresser frame: frame consists of two parallel, longitu ly extending ang e bars 310 and 31?). unieh are fixedly attached at their forwar-z to the cutting plate 32. and which n joined at the r J xtremitics thereof by suitable transversely e. :ten ding bracing;- m ber. sic-h member bein adapted to support a vertical. column 40, for the purpose here-- inafter described. Extending! parallel with and positioned above members lla and 3.2. are two Quid jmcmhers 32a and which may also be iormed of angle iron. These guide members are fixedly attached to cuttine' plate 62 at their forward ends, and are at their rear ends curred down into engc 1rrnent with bars Sloan 3N). and respect. lv attacl thereto. The n'icinbcz' 3i and 232 form a guid way and support into which a butt-er chest 10?) may be inserted.

Centrall positioned on shaft is a pinion 3 (Fiat, adapted to mesh with lona'itudinally extending rack 39, sa d rae havine' on its for ard end a butter dispaw ing piston P n on is mounted n' tlr in a gear housing "hit-h housing con sists oi a. pair of erect enclosin plat! on an pper saddle plate 36. said 1 ext nding transversolv between H'Hfx and 817). Spaced from an pos t oned l. low pla e 36 is a lower saddle plate 3 lower nlate extend n' rearwardly sonnnyha. be ond pper plate 36.

Rie'idlv fastened to the unner por ion of gear heusin is the euide rod 2?). sai red te mina ing forwardly at the forward edge of hous n and ext nding rearward- ]V to the end oi? the exm'esser traine. where it s tas encd to and supported b co umn u cers Fl l1 lCU sa d

fixedly carried b rack 39 i an iinoact member 4-1. this member cons sting of tw .1 plates depending 'From e ther s d of and. surrounding rods and sa d plates l eing jo ned at their upper shown in Fi 4.- and a l 2. and consis? of a t) D I trigger 46, which is shaped so as' to slide be tween saddle plates 36 and S'Yfand be guided between the walls of housing 35. The upper side of trigger 46 is provided with an upstanding shoulder47, which is adapted to be impinged by hammer 43. A'rack 48 is formed integrally with the lower side of trigger 46; this rack meshes with a pinion 49 which is keyed to a shaft 50. Shaft 50 is provided at one end with a rearwardly depending, fixedly attached crank 51, having near one end'a pin 52 which is slidably inserted in a slot 5360 within a downwardly depending arm 53. Said arm 53 is formed integrally with a carriage 54, which carriage is adapted to slide within the slotted bearings55 and 56, these being mounted on the bar 3144. Carriage 54 is provided at the forward end with an upstanding lug 57, which is adapted to engage pawl 26. A second lug 58 is positioned on carriage 54 adjacent the rearward end thereof. This second lug is adapted to engage a pawl 59, which is pivotally mounted on bearing" 56, said pawl 59 being provided to prevent the backward coasting of ratchet 28. i

It will be seen that as piston 45 approaches cutting plate 62. hammer 43 will approach shoulder 47, finally contacting with the same. Th s point of contact may be finely adjusted by means of screw 44. thus leaving a minimum residue of uncut butter between piston 45 and cutting plate 62after each operation of the machine. As trigger 46 is pushed forward by hammer 43. rack 48 rotates shaft 50 thru pinion 49, thus swinging crank 51, cansing p n 52 to push arm 53 and carriage 54 in a. rearward direction. This causes lu 's 5'? and 58 to engage pawls 26 and 59. respective ly. and throw the same out of engagement with ratchet 28. thus preventing the further rotation of shaft 24, despite any inadvertently continued oscil ation of the crank 21.

The shaft 50 is further provided at one end thereof with a handle 60. whereby the pawls tion of which will be further described-thus iii:

forcing the butter therein contained through an erect cutting plate 62.

The cutting plate 62 (Fig. 5) is provided with a substantiallycentrally positioned reetilinear opening 63', which opening is reticulated by the cross threaded cuttingwires the ends of said wires being attached to adjustable tensioners 65. These wire tensioners 65 are formed of a strip of metal bent upwardly at the ends thereof. thus forming a U-shaped slider, which slider is mounted in a suitably grooved member 66, said member '66 being fastened to plate 62 at the edge thereof, as can be readily seen by reference to Figs. 2 and 5. A thumbscrew is inserted thru the outer bifurcation of U-shaped member 65 and is made to bear on fixed member 66. An end of one of the wires 64 is fastened to the remaining bifurcation of member 65. It will be readily seen that as the slider is forced outwardly by the thumbscrew, the wire will be tightened in the desired manner.

The tensioners on the top and sides of cutting plate 62, and on a cross-cut knife 98 are of similar construction.

The cutting plate 62 has rigidly fastened at the lower outer corners thereof bearings 67 (Figs. 5, 6, 7) which bearings are rotatably mounted on a shaft 68 journalled in a pair of bearings 69 which are fastened to beams 4. 7 Thus it will be seen that the eXpresser frame bars 31a and 315, which have been described as being rigidly attached in any suitable manner to the rearward side of plate 62, and all the parts appurtenant thereto, are rotatable in a vertical plane about the shaft 68 as an axis. That is to say, the expresser frame and butter chest are adapted to assume various convenient angles with respect to a horizontal plane. Said expresser frame is rearwardly supported on the moving struts 70 and 71, by means of a rod 72 insertable thru any two of a series of registering openings in said struts.

The struts 70 and 71 are longitudinally slidable along beams 4, to a suficient extent to allow for the fitting of rod 7 2 therein, corresponding to the different angles of the expresser frame 31. It will be understood that since the remaining working parts of the device are pivotally jointed throughout, the above adjustment can be readily made.

A hinged receiving tray 80 is provided, this tray being adapted to be held in an erect position by a counter weight and to be lowered at will by means of a knee lever. To effect this, a pair of bearings 73 and 74 are pivota lly mounted on shaft 68, and are joined at the upper ends thereof by a bridge 75. The bearings T3 and 74 and bridge 75 are free to move with respect to bearings 67 and cutting plate 62. Centrally of bridge 75 and beneath opening 63, are mounted a pair of bearings 6 and 77, having flatbufiing faces 78 on the forward edges thereof. These bearings 7 6 and 77 carry a rod 79, on which is hinged the receiving tray 80. This tray is formed with an inner portion 81 which forms a slot on the inner side of the tray which is adapted to supoprt a sheet of waxed paper to which the severed portions of butter will adhere.

The upper surface of this portion 81 provides a ledge for supporting the butter just after it is severed from the main mass left in the chest. The sheet of waxed paper is of a size greater than the size of opening 63- in the cutting plate, whereby a free margin is: left on the paper for gripping the same for removal from tray. in this way, it is notnecessary to touch the butter itself at any time. The portion 81 rests against the buffer faces 78 when tltlj-J 80 is in erect position, sufficient space being left between the plate 62 and tray 80 to accommodate the maximum thickness of butter desired to be cut. It follows that the angular rela on between the plane of tray 80 in its u pr it position, and that of cut ting plate 02 will be dependent on the angular relation between the buffer faces 7 8 and said plate 62. In order to make adjust ments regarding this latter relationship, and thus keep tray 80 and plate 62 in parallel alignment, the bridge is provided near each end with an upstanuing projection 82,. adapted to receive a threaded bolt 83. This bolt is passed through a slightly elongated opening in cutting plate 62, and adjustably anchored on either side thereof by means of locknuts 8s.- and As can be readily seen by reference to Fig. 0, rotation of the bolt 83 will cause the bridge 75 and bearings 76 and 77 to rotate about 68 as an axis, and will thus cause butler faces 78 to assume a new angle with respect to cutter plate 6 It will be appreciated from the above description that l have provided cans whereby the receiving tray and cutting plate may be easily kept in true parallel alignment, even after continued use of the device.

Pivotally attached to the outer side of tray 80 is a link 80, which is pivotally attached to a lever 87. This lever is fixedly attached toa rod 90, said rod being fixedly inserted in the bearings 91 and 92 which are rotatably suspended from rod 68. The lever 87 has a portion 88, which extends downwardly and rearwardly beyond rod 90. and to which is faste ed a counter-weight 89. This counter- 't is adapted to force tray 80 into an ight position after each depression thereof by the means about to be described.

Fi'xedly attached to rod is a forwardly extending lever 93, and depending therefrom is a rod 94-, said rod being" adapted to contact with a knee lever 95, which is pivotally mounted at one end to a beam 4, and slidably supported adjacent the other end by means of a suspension bracket 96. As the knee lever is pushed into engagement with rod 9%, lever is depressed, carrying rearwardly and downwardly with itthe rod 90, which depre lever 87 and so lowers tray 80. By means of the disclosed arrangement of parts, a very l t angular displacement of knee lever 95 wnl cause tray 80 to de cend through an angle of approrzimately 90 degrees.

Si ce the expresser frame 31 is placed in a tilted position. as described above, the vert cal line .roi 97h the center of gravity of the tray 80 will descend forwardly beyond the the downward swing of handle 98.

:aXis 79 of said tray. Because of this arrangement, theweight of the tray constantly urges its descentforwardly and outwardly about its axis 7 9. This tendency to descend is overcome by the counterweight 89. Only :a slightimpulse need be given to knee lever 95 to effect a prompt responsive dropping of the tray 80. A comparatively greater impulse would be needed to overcome the inertia .of this tray if the latter were normally maintamed in a vertical plane.

Also, a more important result of the tilting of the cutting frame lies in the fact that such tilting acts to overcome the tendency of the butter that has been severed by the cross-cut knife 99 to adhere to the main mass of butter in the chest. The-forward tilting of the cutting frame permits the severed butter to drop away from the remaining butter in the chest at the cutting frame 62, thus enabling such butter to follow, or drop with the tray 80 in. its forward and outward path.

Pivoted tensionally, by any suitable means, near one edge of cutting plate 62 is a crosscut knife, which consists of a U-shaped frame :97, carrying a handle 98. i cutting wire 99 tensionally strung between the arms of frame 97, and a catch 100 is provided to halt A counter-weight 101 is attached to the knife to effect the automatic return thereof to an up right position, upon release of handle 98, and a rubber bumper 10:2 is fastened to frame 4 at the point of impact of said weight.

The brtter chest 103 (Sheet 4-.) is formed of relatively thin sheet metal, and is of a rectangular section exactly corresponding to opening 63 in the cutter plate. This chest is designedto'be removed bodily from between guides 82a and 32b, and to be inserted in a tub, or other container of butter. The forward edge 104 is of thin sheet metal sufiiciently sharpened to be readily inserted as described. To facilitate the vertical insertion of chest 103 into a mass of butter, and to allow the said chest to be carried horizontally during thesubsequent portage between butter tub and machine, a novel handle is attached to the chest at the end remote from cutting edge 104. This handle is mounted on a. thickened reinforcing binding 105, and consists, in part, of a-pair of projecting L-shaped supports v106 and 107, between the forward extremities of which is attached the cylindrical handle 108. Rotatably mounted on handle 108 are two side straps 109 and 110,-which have extending between the lower ends thereof a handle 111. Said handle 111 is adapted to be grasped by one hand in conjunction with a handle 112 which is fixedly mounted on the binding 105, while handle 108 is grasped by the other hand. The chest is then readyto be vertically inserted in a mass of butter, svflicient pressure being applied thcrcon the described handles. Obviously it is desirable to carry the chest, so loaded, in a horizontal position, andtothis end straps 109 and 110 may be rotated about handle 108 thru an angle of270 degrees, until they assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, where they will be locked... This locking means consists of a pair of tumblers 113 and 114 projecting perpendicularly from straps 109 and 110 respectively, and havingthe outer ends thereof curved as shown at 114a. These tumblers are designed to engagca retractiblc spring latch 115, said latch having curved engaging faces at 116 and 117. Latch 115 is slidably mounted in two slots inmenibers 106 and 107, and upon contact or'tumblers 113 and 1.1 1 with faces 116and 111", will be forced to recede until said tumblers are completely beyond shoulders 118 and 119, at whichtime a compression spring 120 willv cause latch 115 to resume itsformer position and lock the tumblers in their newly assumed position, thus holding straps 109 and 110 in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A knob 121 is provided whereby'latch llomay be moved over to release tumblers 113 and 114 and allow straps 109 and 110 to be swung back to the position shown in Fig. 8.

In operation of the machine the handles on chest 103 are first placed in the position shown in Fig. 8, and the chest is inserted in a mass of butter in the above describedmanner. The chest is then withdrawn and held by means of handle 112, until straps109 and 110 are swung around and locked in thepoition shown in Fig. 1. The chest may then be carried in horizontal position by means of handle 111, theparts being so proportioned that the center of gravity of the loaded chest will lie approximately vertically below said handle. With handle 111 in the position shown in Fig. 1, the chest is positioned between guides 320; and 32b and is slid forward until edge 104: contacts with cutting plates (52 adjacent the edges of opening 63. Inorder to efilect this positioning oft-he chest 104:, it is first necessary to turn back piston 15 to its extreme rearward limit o f travel, by means of hand wheel 61, ratchet 59 being free. After thebutter chest is in place, piston 45 is moved forward into proximity with the butter therein contained, by means of hand wheel 61. The handle 60 is then thrown over, which moves carriage 54: forwardly and allows pawls 26 and 59 to engage ratchet 28, ready for operation. y p r y The operator is then seated before the device adjacent the treadle 8. A sheet of waxed paper is inserted in the pocket of tray 80, a suitable supply of the former being kept in a convenient container 113. .The treadle 8 is then depressed, causing crank 21 to be oscillated rearwardly by meansof thebell crank arrangement at 16- and 19, and the links 14 and 20, As the crank 2111s so oscillated, the pawl bearingplates 22 and 23 rotate about-Q4, causing pawl 26 to bite and rotate ratchet 28, thus partially rotating shaft 24. As shaft 24 is rotated, rack..39 is urged forward thru means of pinion 34, the amount of such forward movement being 'de termined by the degree of oscillationof crank 21, which may be varied as hereinbeforede scribed. Piston 15 thus forces a certain pre determined amount of butter thru cutting frame 62 with each depression of treadleb. 'llns butter is cross-cut by means of knife 97, after which tray is depressed by means mice lever 95, a suitable foot test 11 1 being provicl'edto aid the latter action. The sev ered portions of butter will adhere to the waxed paper, and may be removed thereon, thus obviating the necessity of handling the butter, and a fresh sheet of paper may then be inserted in the tray pocket. The tray 80 will automatically IlSG LlPOIl release of lever 95, because of weight 89, and crank 21 will assume its initial position uponrelease of treadle 8, because of weight 22. The opera tion is so continued until hammer 13'automatically disengages the actuating mechanism, whereupon piston 45 is retracted by means of hand wheel 61, the chestremoved and iilled again, the process so continuing until the desired number of portions have been cut. 7 y V y It has been found that the use of counter- Weights,.rather than springs, effects adesiraole smoothness of operation, and that columns 9 and 10 transmitany shock caused by reciprocating parts directly to the floor. 4

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In a butter cutting machine, a butter holding chest having a stationary handle and a pivoted handle adapted to hold said ,chest in vertical or horizontal positions, said piv oted handle being cooperable with said stationary handle in one of said positions, I

2. A butter holding chest having a pivoted handle adapted to hold said chest in vertical orhorizontal positions, said handle comprising a fixed grip, a movable grip spaced from said fixed grip,- means for rotating said movable grip about said fixed grip as an axis whereby said movable grip can be halted-in a plurality of supporting positions, and

means for locking said movable grip in one of said supporting positions.

3. In a butter cutting machine, abutting plate, means for expressing amass of butter throughsaid cutting plate, means for seven ing portions of said butter from the mass, a tiltable tray for receiving said butter after severance thereof, said tray beingpivotally mounted adjacent one edge of said cutting plate, members having buffer faces engaging said tray when the same is in normal position, said. faces, beingin -a.. p1ane substantially parallel to the plane of said cutting plate,

and means for adjusting the plane of said buffer faces with respect to the plane of said cutting plate.

4:. In a butter cutting machine, a butter holding chest, having a cutting edge thereon for filling the same, and a pivoted handle on said chest adapted to assume a plurality of positions with respect to said chest, said handle being spaced from the butter engaging portions of said chest in any of said positions.

5. In a butter cutting machine, a cutting plate, a receiving tray hinged upon an axis adjacent one edge of said cutting plate, a rocker having one end thereof flexibly connected with said tray, and having the other end thereof mounted pivotally upon the butter cutting machine, and force applying means for moving said rocker to depress said tray, said force applying means engaging and acting upon said rocker at a point between said pivotally mounted and flexibly connected ends.

6. In a butter cutting machine, a cutting plate, a receiving tray hinged upon an axis adjacent one edge of said cutting plate, an oscillatable U-shaped element mounted on the butter cutting machine, a member fixed to said U-shaped element, a link flexibly connecting said member and said tray, and an oscillatable lever adapted to swing said U- shaped element whereby said tray is oscilla-ted.

7. In a butter cutting machine, a rack having a butter displacing plunger fixedly attached thereto, an oscillatable lever for actuating said plunger, clutch means including a pawl on said lever operatively connecting said plunger and said oscillatable lever whereby continued oscillation of the latter causes intermittent and progressive movement of the rack and plunger and means for limiting the movement of said rack and plunger, such limiting means including a rigid member adapted to engage said pawl and push the same to inoperative position, and also including a member on said rack for actuating said pawl engaging member.

8. In a butter cutting machine, a rack having a butter displacing plunger fixedly attached thereto, an oscillatable lever for actuating said plunger, clutch means including a pawl on said lever operatively connecting said plunger and said oscillatable lever whereby continued oscillation of said lever causes intermittent and progressive movement of said rack and plunger, actuating means for moving said oscillatable lever in one direction, and means automatically moving said lever in the other direction and means for limiting the movement of said rack and plunger, such limiting means including a rigid member adapted to engage said pawl and push the same to inoperative position,

and also including a member on said rack for actuating said pawl engaging member.

9. In a butter cutting machine, a butter displacing plunger, actuating means for propeiiing said plunger, including a pawl and a ratch, release means including a slidable rack, a pinion meshed with said rack, and amember actuated by said pinion for disengaging said pawl from said ratch, and means carried with said plunger for operating said slidable rack.

10. In a butter cutting machine, a butter displacing plunger, actuating means for propelling said plunger, including a pawl and a ratch, release means including a slidable rack, a pinion meshed with said rack, and a member actuated by said pinion for disengaging said pawl from said ratch, means carried with said plunger for operat ing said slidable rack, and supplemental manual means for operating said member.

11. In a butter cutting machine, a butter holding chest, a cutting frame at one end of said chest, a plunger insertable in the other end of said chest, a rack on said plunger for propelling the same, means for propelling said rack, said means including a pawl and ratch, a sliding carriage having a rigid portion thereof adapted to engage said pawl and trip the same out of engagement with said ratch, an impact member positioned on said rack, said impact member being adapted to move said sliding carriage after a predetermined movement of the rack toward the cutting plate for tripping said pawl.

12. in a butter cutting machine, a cutting means, and a butter receiving tray tiitabiy mounted in position to receive the butter cut by said cutting means, said tray having a slot extending across the lower part thereof, said slot being adapted to receive a. butter receiving member.

13. In a butter cutting machine, a cutting plate, an opening substantially centrally disposed in said plate, a butter receiving tray tiltably mounted adjacent one edge of said cutting plate, a supporting ledge extending across the lower edge of said tray, said ledge being even with and adjacent one edge of the opening in said cutting plate when said tray is in normal position, said tray being slotted between said ledge and the body of said tray.

14. In a butter cutting machine, a cutting plate, a butter-receiving tray mounted for swinging movement with respect to the plate and having a normal position substantially parallel with the plate, and means connected to and adjustable with respect to the plate for predctermining the normal position of the tray relative to the plate.

15. In a butter cutting machine, a cutting plate, a rod supported thereby, a bridge mounted for swinging movement on said rod, a tray mounted for swinging movement on the bridge, and means for adjusting the bridge with respect to the cutting plate.

16. A butter cutting machine including a frame, a cutting plate mounted for swinging movement with respect thereto, a bridge mounted for swinging movement with respect to the cutting plate, means for adjusting the bridge with respectto the cutting plate, a tray mounted for swinging movement with respect to the bridge to permit the tray to move toward and from the cutting plate, and means carried by the bridge and movable in the adjustment thereof to selectively contr l the relation of the cutting plate and tray in one limit position of the latter.

17. In a butter cutting machine, a frame,

a cutting plate mounted for swinging move-.

ment with respect to the frame, a tray movable from a receiving position adjacent the plate to a discharge position at an angle to the plate, a tray mounting on which the tray is swingingly supported, said mounting being movable about the center on which the plate is movable, means for adjusting the mounting with respect to the plate, and traylimiting stops carried by and movable with the mounting for determining the receiving position of the tray.

19. In a butter cutting machine, a frame, a cutting plate mounted for swinging movement with respect to the frame, a tray movable from a receiving position adjacent the plate to a discharge position at an angle to the plate, a tray mounting on which the tray is swingingly supported, said mounting being movable about the center on which-the plate is movable, means for adjusting the mounting with respect to the plate, tray-limiting stops carried by and movable with the mounting for determining the receiving position of the tray, means for normally holding the tray in receiving position, and manually operable means for moving the tray to a discharge position.

20. In a butter cutting machine, a frame, a cutting plate, a tray mounting, means carried by the frame providing a common center for the plate and tray mounting, means for adjusting the tray mounting with respect to the plate, and a tray pivotally supported on the mounting and movable from a receiving position adj acent the plate to a discharge position at an angle to the plate.

21. In a butter cutting machine, a frame, a cutting plate, a tray mounting, means carried by the frame providing a common center for the plate and tray mounting, means for adjusting the tray mounting with respect to the plate, and a tray pivot-ally supported on the mounting and movable from a receiving position adjacent theplate to a discharge position at an angle to the plate, said tray being formed to removably receive and support a section of material on which thebutter may be delivered.

22. In a butter cutting machine, a frame, a butter cutting plate, a tray mounting, a rod mounted on the frame forming a common center for the plate and tray mounting, means for adjusting the tray mounting with respect to the plate, a tray swingingly supported on the mounting, means supported by the rod for normally influencing the tray to a receiving position adjacent the plate, and manually operable means supported by the frame for compelling a movement of the tray away from the plate for discharge purposes.

23. Ina butter cutting machine, a frame, a cutting plate. a tray mounting, a rod mounted on the frame and forming the common center for the tray mounting and plate, means for adjusting the position of the tray mount ing with respect to the plate, a second rod carried by the tray mounting, a tray swingingly supported on said second rod, hangers depending from the first mentioned rod. means carried by the hangers and connected with the tray for normally holding the tray in receiving relation to the plate, and manually operable means for. moving the tray away from the plate to a discharge position.

24. A butter holding chest for butter cut ting machines including a hollow body open at the ends and otherwise closed,-a fixed handle earned by the body, and a movable handle carried by the body, said movable handle in one position cooperating with the fixed handle for manipulating the chest in loading and in another position overlying the chest substantially intermediate the open ends thereof. I

25, A butter chest for butter'cutting machines including a hollow body open at the ends and otherwise closed, a handle movably mounted on the body adjacent one end thereof whereby the handle may be swung across one open end of the body or to a position overlying one closed side of the body. means for securing the handle in the latter position, the handle when in a position across the end of the body serving to permit endwise manipulation of the body for loading the chest, said handlewhen in a position overlying one closed side of the body servingas a means for carrying the loaded chest.

26. In a butter cutting machine, a material receiving chest, a cutter plate arranged at one end thereof, a plunger movable in the chest to force material to and through the cutter plate, feeding mechanism for the F plunger including a pawl and ratchet, manu ally operable means for actuating the feeding mechanism through the pawl and ratchet,

a member cooperating with the pawl to interrupt the manual control of the feeding means, in and means carried by the plunger to operate said member at a predetermined point in the travel of the plunger, said member moving in a direction opposite to that of the plunger in its pawl control movement.

27. In a butter cutting machine, a material receiving chest, a cutting plate arranged at one end thereof, a plunger operative in the chest for forcing material to and through the cutter plate. means for imparting a step by step movement to the plunger, said means including a pawl and ratchet mechanism, a member slidable in a direction opposite to the movement of the plunger for cooperation with the pawl to move the pawl out of cooperative relation with the ratchet, an impact element carried by the plunger to operate said member following a predetermined movement of the plunger, and means carried by the impact element to adjustably vary its control of the member to insure exactpredetermined limits to the plunger movement.

28. In a butter cutting machine, a material receiving chest, a cutter plate arranged at one end thereof, a plunger movable in'the 33 chest to force material to and through the cutter plate, feeding mechanism for the plunger including a pawl and ratchet, manually operable means for actuating the feeding mechanism through the pawl and ratchet, a member cooperating with the pawl to interrupt the manual control of the feeding means, means carried by the plunger to operate said member at a predetermined point in the travel of the plunger, said member moving in a direction opposite to that of the plunger in its pawl control movement and means whereby the member may be manually operated at will.

29. In a butter cutting machine, a cutting plate, a receiving tray hinged upon an axis adjacent one edge of said cutting plate, an oscillating U-shaped element comprising upstanding arms and a cross piece, said shaped element being pivotally mounted on the butter cutting machine at the ends of tne arms thereof, a member fixedly attached to said cross piece, a link flexibly connecting said member and the tray, and means for moving said Ushaped element, said means applying force to said U-shaped element at a point between the ends of'one arm and the point of attachment of said member.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

WILLIAM H. RUSSELL. 

